History

The origins of the casting activity go back to 1878 when a Žalec entrepreneur set up a machine workshop where a foundry operated as well. Grey iron casts were primarily supplied to the neighbourhood. A part of the casts was built into the agricultural machines.

The cast was acquired from a cupola furnace and the modelling was performed manually with the natural sands from Zaloška gorica. The casting production was performed at that location until 1963 when a new grey iron foundry was built in Vrbje at Žalec. At the old location copper and aluminium alloy founding continued until 1975. Mechanical treatment of component parts and assembling of agricultural mechanisation and pumping technique machines was developed at the same time as founding. A cold blast cupola furnace and a turnover-moulding device Malcus were installed in the new foundry.

In 1968 sand preparation was set up and two new Foromat-type machines were installed. Technology and equipment for the production of continuous cast bars was bought off in the same year.

The market expanded and the needs for additional capacities and latest technological equipment grew. Consequently, in 1974, the equipment was complemented with the installation of a net-frequence induction furnace Junker and expansion of the core shop. Further technological and market development led to a setting up of the holding furnace and medium-frequence induction furnace and in 1995 new moulding line.

Transitional problems appeared after Yugoslavia fell apart. The company, at that time named Ferralit, became insolvent and filed for bankruptcy. The eliminating creditors in cooperation with Razvojna družba made it possible for the newly founded company, Feniks, to carry on with the production. The goal was to look for a strategic partner as soon as possible.

In 2001, the Belgian corporation BMT and its company Omco Metals respectively became the company’s owner. Under the new owner technological development has been aimed at the glass founding, alloy grey iron, and ductile iron production.